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Resources versus Capabilities: Social Endowments in Egalitarian Theory

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  • Roland Pierik
  • Ingrid Robeyns

Abstract

Two of the most important theories in contemporary liberal egalitarianism are Ronald Dworkin's equality of resources and Amartya Sen's capability approach. Recently Dworkin has claimed that Sen's capability approach does not provide a genuine alternative to equality of resources. In this article, we provide both an internal and an external critique of Dworkin's claim. In the first part of the article we develop an internal critique by providing a detailed analysis of Dworkin's claim. Andrew Williams has contested Dworkin's claim, but he has failed to convince Dworkin of his objections. We analyze this debate, and offer an argument that, we hope, settles this dispute. In the second part of the article we argue that an analysis beyond the current parameters of the liberal‐egalitarian debate points to three significant differences between Dworkin's and Sen's egalitarian theories: the degree to which they rely on an ideal‐theoretical approach; their ability to judge social structures that are intertwined with people's social endowments; and their endorsement of a well‐defined criterion to demarcate morally relevant from morally irrelevant inequalities. This broader analysis not only reinforces our conclusion that Dworkin's equality of resources and Sen's capability approach are genuinely distinct, but it also suggests some more general insights that may be relevant for a better understanding of contemporary egalitarian thinking.

Suggested Citation

  • Roland Pierik & Ingrid Robeyns, 2007. "Resources versus Capabilities: Social Endowments in Egalitarian Theory," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 55(1), pages 133-152, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:polstu:v:55:y:2007:i:1:p:133-152
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9248.2007.00646.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sudhir Anand and Amartya Sen, 1995. "Gender Inequality in Human Development: Theories and Measurement," Human Development Occasional Papers (1992-2007) HDOCPA-1995-01, Human Development Report Office (HDRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
    2. Ingrid Robeyns, 2005. "The Capability Approach: a theoretical survey," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(1), pages 93-117.
    3. Sen, Amartya, 1998. "Mortality as an Indicator of Economic Success and Failure," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 108(446), pages 1-25, January.
    4. Sen, Amartya, 1983. "Poor, Relatively Speaking," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 35(2), pages 153-169, July.
    5. Matt Matravers, 2002. "Responsibility, Luck, and the ‘Equality of What?’ Debate," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 50(3), pages 558-572, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Simin Davoudi & Elizabeth Brooks, 2014. "When Does Unequal become Unfair? Judging Claims of Environmental Injustice," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 46(11), pages 2686-2702, November.
    2. repec:cmj:journl:y:2013:i:29:lobont is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Visser, Sanne Siete & Haisma, Hinke, 2021. "Fulfilling food practices: Applying the capability approach to ethnographic research in the Northern Netherlands," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    4. León Tamayo, Dorian Fernando, 2016. "Enfoque de capacidades en Amartya Sen: Aproximaciones y reflexiones [Capabilities approach in Amartya Sen: Approaches and reflections]," MPRA Paper 120324, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 03 Dec 2016.
    5. Oana-Ramona G. LOBONŢ, 2013. "New Alternative Possibilities For Measuring Poverty In Romania," SEA - Practical Application of Science, Romanian Foundation for Business Intelligence, Editorial Department, issue 2, pages 158-166, October.

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